U.S. patent number 8,973,765 [Application Number 14/090,682] was granted by the patent office on 2015-03-10 for merchandise security system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fasteners For Retail, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Fasteners for Retail, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert Gray, Daniel J. Kump, Paul A. Mueller, James J. Rataiczak, III, Curtis Taylor, Stephen D. Wamsley.
United States Patent |
8,973,765 |
Wamsley , et al. |
March 10, 2015 |
Merchandise security system
Abstract
A merchandising system includes a mounting member adapted to be
secured to a first associated merchandising structure. A tile is
connected to the mounting member. The tile extends away from the
mounting member so as to approach a second associated merchandising
structure spaced from the first associated merchandising structure.
The tile includes a first portion located in a first plane and a
protrusion located in a second plane spaced from the first plane.
The protrusion is linked to the mounting member. The tile is
configured to be movable in relation to the mounting member thereby
allowing selective access to a desired portion of at least one of
the first and second associated merchandising structures. The
connection between the protrusion and the mounting member enables
movement of the tile in relation to the mounting member via at
least one of pivoting and sliding.
Inventors: |
Wamsley; Stephen D. (Lakewood,
OH), Gray; Robert (Brookpark, OH), Mueller; Paul A.
(Wadsworth, OH), Kump; Daniel J. (Highland Heights, OH),
Taylor; Curtis (Chagrin Falls, OH), Rataiczak, III; James
J. (Chesterland, OH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fasteners for Retail, Inc. |
Twinsburg |
OH |
US |
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Assignee: |
Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
(Twinsburg, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
39636567 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/090,682 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140083961 A1 |
Mar 27, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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13412916 |
Mar 6, 2012 |
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13107187 |
May 1, 2012 |
8167149 |
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12008812 |
Apr 10, 2012 |
8152006 |
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60880853 |
Jan 16, 2007 |
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60997789 |
Oct 5, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/59.2; 108/61;
312/71; 312/137; 211/119.003 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
5/0861 (20130101); A47F 3/002 (20130101); A47F
1/126 (20130101); A47F 5/0068 (20130101); A47F
1/04 (20130101); A47F 5/005 (20130101); A47F
1/12 (20130101); A47B 57/58 (20130101); Y10T
70/5009 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
1/04 (20060101); A47G 29/087 (20060101); B65G
1/16 (20060101); A47F 9/00 (20060101); A47B
57/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;211/59.2,59.3,59.4,119.003 ;312/35,61,71,137 ;108/61 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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295 18 948 |
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Feb 1996 |
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DE |
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195 29 926 |
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Feb 1997 |
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DE |
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195 29 926 |
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Jul 1997 |
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DE |
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1 692 977 |
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EP |
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2 135 292 |
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Aug 1984 |
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GB |
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2 386 116 |
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Oct 2003 |
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GB |
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410137082 |
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May 1998 |
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JP |
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02000287792 |
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Oct 2000 |
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JP |
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Other References
International Search Report of International Application No.
PCT/US2008/000489 dated May 7, 2009. cited by applicant .
Written Opinion of International Application No. PCT/US2008/000489
dated May 7, 2009. cited by applicant .
International Preliminary Report on Patentability of International
Application No. PCT/US2008/000489 dated Jul. 21, 2009. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Michener; Joshua J
Assistant Examiner: Barnett; Devin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fay Sharpe LLP
Parent Case Text
The instant application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser.
No. 13/412,916 which was filed on Mar. 6, 2012, which application
is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/107,187 which was filed on
May 13, 2011 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,167,149, on May 1, 2012.
That application in turn is a continuation application of U.S. Ser.
No. 12/008,812 which was filed on Jan. 14, 2008 and issued as U.S.
Pat. No. 8,152,006 on Apr. 10, 2012. That application in turn
claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/880,853 which was filed on
Jan. 16, 2007 and of U.S. Ser. No. 60/997,789 which was filed on
Oct. 5, 2007.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A merchandising system comprising: an elongated rail adapted to
be secured to an associated merchandising structure, said rail
comprising first and second longitudinally extending legs spaced
apart from each other, said first leg adapted to engage a leading
edge of the associated merchandising structure and said second leg
disposed in spaced relation to the leading edge of the associated
merchandising structure; and a plurality of tiles slideably mounted
to said rail and extending away therefrom, said tiles being
supported between said first and second legs of said rail, wherein
one less tile is mounted to said rail than a number of columns of
associated merchandise supported on a product support surface of
said associated merchandising structure so that substantially one
column of merchandise is accessible at a time, and any desired
column of associated merchandise is accessible by sliding at least
one of said plurality tiles along a width of the associated
merchandising structure; wherein each of said tiles includes a
front wall and a foot angled in relation to a plane of the front
wall; wherein each tile further includes a top flange and a bottom
flange extending away from said foot and defining between them a
longitudinally extending slot, wherein said longitudinally
extending slot of said tile is interconnected with a longitudinally
extending protrusion which is connected to one of said first and
second legs of said rail.
2. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 1, wherein
the rail further comprises a clip which engages the associated
merchandising structure.
3. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 2, wherein
said clip includes a rear leg and a connecting leg, said rear leg
and said rail first leg being angled relative to each other along
at least a portion of their respective lengths and, together with
the base leg, defining a first channel.
4. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 3, wherein
said rail further includes a base wall connecting said first leg
and said second leg, said base wall and said first and second legs
defining a second channel.
5. A merchandising security system comprising: a merchandise
display including a first display member; a rail mounted to said
first display member; a plurality of tiles slideably engaged with
said rail, wherein said plurality of tiles extend away from said
first display member; and wherein said rail comprises first and
second longitudinally extending and adjacent channels, said first
channel receiving a leading edge of the first display member such
that said second channel extends in spaced relation to the leading
edge of the first display member wherein each of said tiles
includes a front wall and a foot angled in relation to a plane of
the front wall; wherein each foot of said tiles is inserted within
the second channel of said rail and slides along a width of said
display member in order to selectively allow access to a desired
column of associated merchandise stored on said first display
member; wherein first display member includes a front fence which
extends upwardly from a top surface of the display member, and said
front wall of each of said tiles extends vertically in front of
said front fence; wherein the front fence has a height that is less
than a height of the front wall of each of said tiles.
6. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 5, wherein
each tile further includes a top flange and a bottom flange
extending away from said foot and defining between them a
longitudinally extending slot, and further comprising a
longitudinally extending protrusion located in said second channel
of said rail, wherein said protrusion extends into said slot.
7. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 6, wherein
the second channel of the rail is defined by a first wall, and said
protrusion extends rearwardly from said first wall into said second
channel of said rail.
8. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 5, wherein
said rail comprises a clip which includes a rear leg, a front leg
and a connecting leg, said rear leg and said front leg being angled
relative to each other along at least a portion of their respective
lengths and, together with the connecting leg, defining said first
channel.
9. A merchandising security system as set forth in claim 8, wherein
said rail further includes a first wall oriented generally parallel
to said front leg and connected thereto by a base wall, said first
wall, said base wall and said front leg defining said second
channel.
10. A merchandising structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein said
first wall and said front leg are oriented parallel to each other
along a portion of their lengths.
11. A merchandising structure as set forth in claim 5, further
comprising at least one pusher supported on the first display
member and located rearwardly on the first display member in
relation to said plurality of tiles.
12. A merchandising security system comprising: an elongated rail
comprising a front wall and a clip for mounting the rail to an
associated merchandising structure; a plurality of tiles slidably
mounted to said rail, said plurality of tiles each including a
planar foot connected to said rail and a planar front wall
extending upwardly away from said rail, wherein each foot is angled
in relation to a plane of each of the front walls at an angle
greater than 90 degrees; wherein one less tile is mounted to said
rail than a number of columns of associated merchandise held on a
support surface of the associated merchandising structure so that
substantially one column of merchandise is accessible at a time,
and any desired column of merchandise is accessible by sliding at
least one of said plurality of tiles along a width of the
associated merchandising structure; wherein a first engaging member
is mounted to each tile foot and a second engaging member is
mounted to said rail; wherein one of said first and second engaging
members comprises a channel and the another of said first and
second engaging members comprises a protrusion extending into said
channel in a slidable manner.
13. The merchandising system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of
tiles are disposed in front of a support surface of the associated
merchandising structure.
14. The merchandising system of claim 12 wherein said clip
comprises a horizontally oriented flange disposed beneath the
support surface of the associated merchandising structure.
15. The merchandising system of claim 14 wherein said clip further
comprises a rear leg, a connecting leg and a front leg and wherein
said flange extends away from said rear leg.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present development concerns a security system employed in
point of sale merchandising.
In self service retail establishments, such as drug stores, grocery
stores and the like, articles are usually displayed for sale on
racks consisting of vertically spaced shelves on which the articles
are arranged in rows. Although merchandise in such retail
environments in accessible substantially only from the front, the
shelves previously employed have permitted free access to the space
above the merchandise held on each shelf. In this way, a person who
wished to do so could very quickly and easily remove a large number
of articles at one time. It is known for thieves to "sweep" a shelf
with their arm, collecting the items into a purse, bag or coat very
quickly and exit a store, without drawing attention to themselves.
This is particularly a problem with high value goods, such as razor
blades, pharmaceuticals, batteries, cigarettes, perfumes and the
like. A thief could steal as much as several hundred dollars worth
of merchandise with very little effort and without great risk of
being detected. Similar theft problems exist for merchandise
displayed on hooks mounted on pegboards or the like.
There have been some attempts at minimizing such shoplifting losses
by the expedient of partially blocking access to display shelves to
prevent a mass removal of articles from the shelves, but,
nevertheless, permitting removal of individual articles by a
shopper.
One attempt to minimize pilferage of merchandise was by installing
a transparent panel in front of each stocked shelf, but blocking
access to all but a few of the articles on the shelf. However, if
the panel is securely fixed in place on the rack or shelf, the
panel also prevents or impedes a restocking of the shelves.
Considering the value of a clerk's time, such a security system may
cost more in terms of personnel time than the money it saves in
reducing theft. On the other hand, if the panel is easily removed
or readily moved out of the way, that is, if the manipulations
needed for moving the panel out of the way are readily apparent
from inspection, then the panel has little value as a security
device. Another important consideration is that the security device
should be inexpensive and be capable of quick and easy
installation.
One attempt to solve the theft problem has been the use of
dispensing display cabinets which can be stocked through a lockable
door at the rear of the cabinet. Such an arrangement, however, is
unsuitable for the shelving commonly used in retail establishments,
as well as for peg board displays similarly used in such
establishments. Another attempt, as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,807,779, employs a transparent front wall which leaves the bottom
row of product exposed, together with a sliding door that has a
pair of spaced access openings, each affording access to one row of
product. While this is an adequate solution for the problem of
theft, this design necessitates the provision of a separate size of
display unit for each size of goods meant to be sold. For every
type of merchandise having another shape or configuration, a
different size of door and/or opening would be necessary.
Another design employs a hood or cover which can be mounted above a
row of product, so as to impede a thief's ability to grab more than
one product at a time from a row of products. However, with this
design, a separate such member is necessary for each row of product
on each shelf. Moreover, the member is only engageable with a
particular type of display unit, in this case, one mounted on a
rectangular bar. Such a design is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
5,665,304.
Still another design employs a pair of retaining walls, wherein a
first retaining wall is shorter in height than is a second
retaining wall. This design, illustrated in U.S. Patent Publication
2005/0161420, is said to result in limiting access to product and
inhibiting the removal of numerous products at one time. As with
the previous design, however, this design necessitates the use of
separate second barriers for each row of products and the second
barriers may impede access to products more than customers are
willing to put up with.
It would be desirable to provide a merchandise security system
which will inhibit access to a shelf or pegboard display in such a
way as to retard the ability of a thief to "sweep" the shelf or
pegboard display. At the same time, the merchandise should be
accessible to shoppers to allow the legitimate purchase of
products. Also, the shelf or pegboard display needs to be
accessible to store personnel to allow a restocking of merchandise
in a row of the shelf or on a pegboard hook in a prompt and
efficient manner.
Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved shelf security
device or system which overcomes certain difficulties with prior
art designs, while providing better and more advantageous overall
results.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, there is disclosed a merchandise security system
comprising a rail adapted to be secured to a first associated
merchandising structure. The rail comprises a first longitudinally
extending channel. At least one tile is mounted to the rail. The at
least one tile extends away from the rail so as to approach a
second associated merchandising structure spaced from the first
associated merchandising structure. The at least one tile comprises
a protrusion which is accommodated in the rail first channel to
enable a sliding movement of the tile in relation to the rail
thereby allowing selective access to any desired portion of at
least one of the first and second associated merchandising
structures.
In accordance with another embodiment, the present disclosure
pertains to a merchandise security system comprising a merchandise
display and a rail adapted to be secured to the merchandise
display. The rail comprises a first longitudinally extending
channel. A plurality of tiles is slidably mounted to the rail.
There is one less tile mounted to the rail than a number of columns
of associated merchandise held by the merchandise display so that
substantially one column of merchandise is accessible to a
purchaser at a time and any desired column of merchandise is
accessible by a suitable sliding movement of the tiles.
In accordance with still another embodiment, the present disclosure
pertains to a merchandise security system comprising a merchandise
display comprising a first shelf and a second shelf located beneath
the first shelf. A rail is mounted to the first shelf and a
plurality of tiles are slidably mounted to the rail. The tiles
depend from the rail such that they extend toward the second shelf,
wherein one less tile is mounted to the rail than a number of
columns of associated merchandise supported by the second shelf
forming an opening through which one column of associated
merchandise is accessible at a time. Any desired column of
associated merchandise is accessible by a suitable sliding movement
of the tiles.
In accordance with a further embodiment, the present disclosure
pertains to a merchandise security system comprising a merchandise
display, including a first display member and a second display
member spaced from the first display member. A rail is mounted to
the first display member. A plurality of tiles are slidably engaged
with the first rail, wherein the plurality of tiles extend toward
the second display member and selectively allow access to a desired
column of associated merchandise stored on one of the first and
second display members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be
described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, of
components of a shelf security system according to a first
embodiment of the present disclosure, before they are mounted to a
shelf;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tile of the shelf security system
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the tile of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tile of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the tile of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged end elevational view of a mounting channel of
the shelf security system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the mounting channel of FIG. 6 with
a central section thereof broken away;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the shelf
security system of FIG. 1 in the process of being installed on a
shelf with a part of the shelf broken away for clarity;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the shelf security system
of FIG. 8 in the process of being installed on a shelf;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shelf security system after it
has been installed on a shelf, with a part of the shelf broken away
for clarity;
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the shelf security system as
mounted on a merchandise display including a pair of adjacent
shelves;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a product in the process
of being removed from an accessible row of product on a shelf of
FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another design of a sliding tile
security system in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving security
system according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 15 is an assembled side elevational view of the shelving
security system of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, of the shelving
security system of FIG. 14 in an assembled condition;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a shelving security system
according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking tile usable
with the shelving security system of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the locking tile as installed
between a pair of adjacent tiles;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of a sliding tile
security system according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion of the system of FIG.
20;
FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the sliding tile security
system of FIG. 21;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a sliding tile security system
according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a sliding tile security system
according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure in a
first orientation thereof; and,
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the sliding tile security system
of FIG. 24 in a second orientation thereof;
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a sliding tile security system
according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the sliding tile security
system of FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is an end elevational view of a rail which can be employed
with several embodiments of the sliding tile security system
disclosed herein;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a sliding
tile security system according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a sliding tile security system
according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 31 is a side elevational view of a sliding tile security
system according to a tenth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of an eleventh embodiment of a
sliding tile security system according to the present
disclosure;
FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of a tile lock for a sliding
tile security system according to the present disclosure;
FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of the system of FIG. 33;
FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the tile lock of FIG.
33; and,
FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the tile lock in an assembled and
locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It should be understood that the description and drawings herein
are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes
can be made in the structures disclosed, without departing from the
present disclosure. It should also be appreciated that the various
identified components of the merchandise security system discussed
herein are merely terms of art and that these may vary from one
manufacturer to another. Such terms should not be deemed to limit
the present disclosure.
With reference now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the disclosure
includes a tile or a relatively thin, somewhat flat and wide,
blocking member or shopper access retarding element A which is
slidably supported in a mounting channel or rail B. The tile or
blocking member is meant to retard access to merchandise held in a
display until the tile is slid out of the way. A set of such tiles
can be mounted in a row in front of a merchandise display
member.
With reference now to FIG. 2, the tile includes a body 10
comprising a front wall 12, a top wall 14 and a connecting portion
16 extending therebetween. As is evident, the front wall 12 is
oriented approximately transverse to the top wall 14. In this
embodiment, the connecting portion 16 serves to join the top wall
14 to the front wall 12. It is evident from FIG. 1 that the
connecting portion 16 allows the front wall 12 to be displaced
forwardly of the top wall 14. With reference now also to FIG. 3,
the front wall includes a lower section 20 defined by a pair of
sidewalls 22 and a base wall or bottom edge 23. It also includes an
upper section 24, which is wider than the lower section 20. A pair
of shoulders 26 are defined at the junction between the upper
section 24 and the lower section 20. The reason for this difference
in width is for ease of handling by shoppers during movement of the
tiles, as will be discussed in detail below. As is best seen in
FIG. 4, the front wall 12 can be convex or somewhat curved, as
identified by the numeral 28. The purpose for curving the tile
front wall is to improve its strength or stiffness during handling
by shoppers. Of course, the front wall could be concave, as well as
convex. Moreover, it could be flat.
With reference now to FIG. 5, extending away from the top wall 14
is a tab 30. The tab can be somewhat T-shaped and comprises a
planar portion 32 and a stem 34 which connects the planar portion
to the top wall 14. As best seen from FIG. 2, a side wall 36 can
extend between the top wall 14 and the connecting portion 16. It
should be evident from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 5 that a side
wall 36 can be provided on both sides of the tile A. If desired,
one or more indicia 38 (see FIG. 3) can be provided on the front
wall 12. The indicia may be used to illustrate the two directions
in which the tile can be moved or slid in relation to the support
rail B. The tile can be made from a suitable known plastic
material, such as by injection molding. In one embodiment, the tile
or blocking member is transparent so that items of merchandise held
on a shelf behind it remain visible.
With reference now to FIG. 6, the support rail B can comprise a
body 50 having a first side wall 52, a second side wall 54 and a
base wall 56 extending therebetween. The base wall can include a
first slot 58 leading to a first channel 60 defined in the support
rail. As shown in FIG. 7, the first slot 58 can extend
longitudinally along the entire length of the support rail B, as
can the first channel 60. Of course, other designs can also be
contemplated where the slot 58 and the channel 60 do not extend
along the full length of the support rail B. If desired, the bottom
wall can be provided with a flange 62. Also provided is a top wall
64 which extends between the pair of side walls 52 and 54. A second
slot 68 can extend longitudinally in the top wall 64. The second
slot can lead to a second channel 70, as well as a third channel 72
defined in the support rail B. The third channel 72 is separated
from the second channel 70 by a pair of longitudinally extending
shoulders 74. As is evident from FIG. 6, the third channel is
disposed directly beneath the second channel. The two channels can
extend longitudinally along the full length of the support rail B,
if so desired. It should also be apparent from FIG. 6 that the
first and second flanges 62 and 66 are disposed on opposed corners
of the support rail B. Of course, other designs are also
contemplated. The rail can be made of a known suitable plastic,
such as a thermoplastic extrusion, or metal, such as an aluminum
extrusion.
With reference now to FIG. 8, the tab 30 of the tile A is shown in
the process of being slid into the first channel 60 of the support
rail B. In turn, the support rail is shown as being located beneath
a merchandising structure or display member. In this embodiment,
the merchandising structure is shown in the form of a shelf C. Of
course, other types of known merchandising structures or display
members are also contemplated.
With reference now to FIG. 9, a fastener 80 is employed in order to
secure the support rail B to the shelf C. To this end, the fastener
80 comprises a head 82 and a stem 84 extending therefrom. A
suitable conventional threading 86 can be provided on the stem. The
stem of the fastener can cooperate with a nut 88 which includes a
threaded aperture 90 through which the stem 84 of the fastener can
extend. The nut 88 is so designed that it can be slid into the
second channel 70 of the support body 50. In order to more easily
locate the nut 88 in relation to a set of apertures 100 extending
through a shelf top surface 101, there is provided a locating stem
102 on the nut 88. The locating stem is so positioned on the nut
88, in relation to the aperture 90, as to match the distance
between adjacent apertures 100 on the shelf 101. Thus, when the
stem 102 extends through one aperture 100, the aperture 90 of the
nut 88 is aligned with another aperture 100 of the shelf C. In this
way, the fastener 80 can be more easily secured to the nut 88. The
portion of the fastener stem 84 located beneath the nut 88 extends
into the third channel 72 of the body 50. It should be recognized
that the shape of the nut 88 can be altered as may be desirable.
Generally, the physical construction of the nut should be such as
to allow it to cooperate with the slot formed in the support rail.
It should also be recognized that other known connecting
arrangements could be employed to secure the support rail B to the
shelf C.
With reference now to FIG. 10, the fastener 80 extends through an
aperture 100 defined in a shelf top surface 101. Many conventional
shelves have an array of such apertures 100 located at regular
intervals, as shown in FIG. 10. As the head of the fastener abuts
the shelf top surface and the fastener is further rotated, the nut
88 is pulled up against the support rail top wall 64. This in turn
pulls the support rail up against a bottom surface of the shelf C,
thus securing the support rail in place. Once the support rail B
has been fastened to the shelf C, the locating stem 102 can be
detached from the nut and removed, as shown. In other words, the
major purpose for the locating stem in this embodiment is to serve
as a locating means for the nut and the fastener. Of course, other
means for securing the rail B to the shelf C are also
contemplated.
While only one fastener is illustrated in FIG. 10, it should be
appreciated that any suitable number of such fasteners can be
employed in order to securely mount the support rail B in place on
the shelf C. It is contemplated that at least several such
fasteners would be employed in order to mount the support rail B to
the shelf C. In one embodiment, the tiles A can be premounted on
the support rail B before the support rail is fastened to the shelf
C, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the tiles could perhaps
be mounted to the support rail after it is secured in place. In
either case, the tiles A are thus secured in place beneath the
shelf C. It is noted that a front wall 104 of the shelf C extends
downwardly by a distance which is smaller than the combined height
of the support rail B and the tile connecting portion 16. As a
result, the tile front wall 12 can extend forwardly of the shelf
front wall 104, as is illustrated in FIG. 8.
With reference now to FIG. 11, merchandise 110 is normally
supported on a shelf. Many times a front fence 112 is employed on
the shelf to prevent the merchandise from falling off the front of
the shelf. Often, the merchandise is separated into columns
(sometimes inaccurately termed rows) by a plurality of dividers
114. As is evident from FIG. 12, tracks 116 are often provided
between the dividers 114. Flat coil springs 118 can be employed to
bias pushers (not visible) to urge the merchandise toward the front
fence 112. With reference again to FIG. 11, it should be evident
that a slot 120 is defined between adjacent side edges 22 of two
adjacent tiles A. Such slot enables a customer to place his or her
fingers between the tiles in order to move or slide the tiles
sideways so as to obtain access to a desired column 124 of
merchandise. As mentioned, the tiles can be transparent in order to
allow a customer to see what columns of merchandise are displayed
behind the security tiles or blocking members.
With reference again to FIG. 12, in this manner, a customer can
grasp an item of merchandise 126 and remove it from the shelf.
However, adjacent columns of merchandise are generally blocked by
adjacent tiles. In other words, one less tile is provided than the
total number of columns of merchandise on the shelf so that only a
single column of merchandise is generally accessible for withdrawal
of items. FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment in which, at most, two
relatively narrow columns of merchandise adjacent each other are
accessible. But other columns of merchandise cannot be reached,
because of the sliding tiles in front of them. Of course, it should
be recognized that the width of the merchandise being held on the
shelves and the width of the tiles mounted in front of the
merchandise held on the shelves will control the number of columns
of merchandise which are accessible with any given design of the
shelf security system disclosed herein. The tiles A can be made in
any desired height, in order to accommodate the vertical spacing
between adjacent shelves. That spacing is usually dictated by the
height of the merchandise being displayed on the shelves.
Similarly, the tiles can be made in any desired width, as may be
dictated by the width of the merchandise meant to be protected from
pilferage.
It should be appreciated that the tiles A cooperate with the front
fence 112 to retard access to merchandise held on a shelf C. In
other words, the bottom edge 23 of the tile front wall 12 does not
need to approach the top wall of the subjacent shelf because the
front fence retards access to a lower section of the merchandise
being held on the subjacent shelf. In one embodiment, the tile
front wall bottom edge 23 overlaps a top edge of the front fence
112 to completely prevent access to the merchandise, except in the
narrow vertically extending slot between the tiles. In another
embodiment, the bottom edge 23 only approaches the top edge of the
fence 112. Even so, removal of the merchandise 126 is prevented by
the positioning of the tiles A above the front fence 112. In one
embodiment, the tiles A are positioned such that the tile front
wall 12 is located forwardly of the fence 112.
With reference now to FIG. 13, another embodiment of a sliding tile
security system is there shown. In this design, the sliding tile
security system includes a rail 150 and a tile or blocking member
152 which is slidably mounted to the rail. In this embodiment, the
rail includes an elongated member 154 on which are defined a
plurality of serrations or teeth 156. These are engaged by a
resilient finger 160 which is supported by a pin 162. The pin
itself can be mounted to the tile 152 and extend rearwardly
therefrom. The reason why the finger 160 engages the serrations 156
is to provide an audible signal when the tile 152 is moved in
relation to the rail 150. In other words, both the shopper and the
merchant will hear any sliding movement of the tile 152 in relation
to the rail 150. For some merchants, this may prove useful in
alerting them to shopping activity concerning a particularly
valuable product or merchandise which is being retailed behind the
security system discussed herein.
With reference now to FIGS. 14-16, another embodiment of the
present disclosure is there illustrated. In this embodiment, there
is provided a plurality of tiles E and a mounting rail or channel
F. Each tile E includes a tile body 210 which comprises a front
wall 212 and a top wall 214, which is oriented approximately
perpendicular thereto. Extending upwardly from the top wall is a
first connecting arm 216 having a sidewardly extending flange 218
and a second connecting arm 220 having a sidewardly extending
flange 222. In the design illustrated in FIG. 14, three such
connecting arms are illustrated. Two of the arms can be oriented
rearwardly, such that the respective flanges 218 protrude
rearwardly. However, the third connecting arm can face forwardly
and can be positioned between the two rearwardly facing connecting
arms. Also extending from the top wall 214 can be a pair of hook
shaped extensions 224. In this embodiment, the tiles each include a
first side wall 228 with a cut out 230 and a second side wall 232
with a cut out 234. The cut outs provide finger access to shoppers,
allowing them to slide the tiles.
The second embodiment of the disclosure also includes a pair of
adjacent shelves G. As with the first embodiment, a front fence 242
can be provided at the front edge of the shelf G in order to retard
the possibility that merchandise will fall off the front of the
shelf. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, two adjacent, vertically
spaced, such shelves G are illustrated. It is noted that the tile
front walls 212 are positioned in front of the front fence 242.
The tiles E are meant to slide in relation to the support rail F.
In this embodiment, the rail or track F can be made of extruded
aluminum. The support rail includes a body 250 comprising a bottom
wall 256. A slot 258 is defined in the bottom wall. The respective
flanges 218 and 222 of the connecting arms 216 and 220 are meant to
be accommodated in the slot 258 so as to allow a sideward sliding
motion of the tiles E with respect to the support rail F. More
particularly, as is illustrated in FIG. 15, the connecting arm
extends into a longitudinally extending channel 260 which is
defined in the support rail F and communicates with the slot 258.
As will be appreciated, the channel will accommodate the respective
flanges 218 and 222. Due to the resilient nature of the
thermoplastic material from which the tiles E can be made, the
connecting arms 216 and 220 can flex so that the tiles can be
snapped into the rail F. Thus, the tiles can be mounted to the rail
after the rail is mounted to a shelf.
The support rail body 250 can include rear and front flanges 262
and 264 disposed on either side of the slot 258. The rear flange
262 cooperates with the hook shaped extension 224 of the tile. Such
cooperation enables the tile E to be mounted to the support rail F
in a sturdy fashion, thereby reducing the chance of the tile
wobbling in relation to the support rail during use. To enable a
customer to slide the tiles sidewards as desired, a customer can
place a finger between two adjacent tiles via the cooperating cut
outs 230 and 234, as is best illustrated in FIG. 16. In this
embodiment, the front wall 212 of the sliding tiles extend in front
of the front fence 242, as best illustrated in FIG. 15. With
reference again to FIG. 16, the sliding tiles are meant to cover
all but one section of a shelf in order to minimize access to all
but one of the several columns of products being held on the shelf.
However, by sliding the tiles sideways, any desired section of the
shelf, and the set of products being held thereon, is accessible to
a potential customer.
With reference now to FIGS. 17-19, a third embodiment of the
disclosure is there illustrated. In this embodiment, suitable tiles
I are mounted to a pair of shelves J and K via respective support
rails L and M. In this embodiment, two such support rails are
provided, located at the top and bottom edges of a shelf space.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the tiles have suitable cooperating
upper and lower connecting elements (not visible) that enable each
tile I to be slid sideways in relation to the shelves J and K, on
lower and upper support rails L and M. The tiles I each include a
body 270 having a front wall 272. With reference now to FIG. 19,
the tile also includes a first side wall 274 with a cut out 276 and
a similar second side wall and cut out. As is evident from FIG. 17,
enough tiles are mounted across the front of each shelf so as to
provide a single access opening 280 through which a product 282 can
be retrieved by a customer. As the tiles are slid sideways, the
access opening can move across the full width of the shelf. Also in
this embodiment, suitable end closure panels 286 are provided in
order to forestall access to the contents on the shelf from the
sides thereof. Closing the two ends or side edges of the shelf also
makes difficult the removal of the support rails by unauthorized
personnel. As in the previous embodiments, a suitable front fence
(not shown) can be employed to prevent the merchandise being held
on the shelf from falling off the front edge of the shelf when the
access opening 280 is disposed before a desired column 290 of
products 282.
In this embodiment, a locking tile 300 can be installed on the
security system in order to close the access opening 280 and
prevent any access to a shelf of merchandise at night, or when the
store is closed. The locking tile 300 can employ a keyed lock 302
in order to selectively secure the locking tile in place over the
access opening 280 defined between a pair of spaced tiles. Of
course, such keyed locks are well known in the art.
With reference now to FIGS. 20-22, a further embodiment of a
merchandise security system is there illustrated. In this
embodiment, a connector construction in the form of one or more
slide snap modules 602 is mounted to an extrusion or rail 604 in
any conventional manner. These are fastened to an underside of a
shelf 605 via suitable fasteners (not shown). Tiles 608 are mounted
to the rail 604. With reference to FIG. 22, due to the presence of
the side snap modules 602, the entire rail 604 can be pivoted
forwardly out of the way in order to allow restocking of the shelf
being protected by the tiles. In normal use, the tiles can be slid
sideways in order to obtain access to products held on the shelf.
With reference now to FIG. 21, it can be seen that the rail 604 can
pivot in relation to the slide snap modules 602. This can occur
when a channel 610 of the module 602 no longer holds a flange 612
of the rail 604. In order to unlock the rail 604, an arm 614 of the
module 602 is pulled rearwardly. Due to the resilient nature of the
material from which the connector or module 602 is made, it can be
pulled rearwardly so as to free the flange 612 from the channel
610. At this point, the rail 604 can pivot in relation to the
module 602 around a hinge joint 620 defined between them.
Subsequently, the rail 604 can again be locked to the module 602 in
a use position via the cooperation of the flange 612 with the
channel 610.
With reference now to FIG. 23, a still further embodiment of a
sliding tile security system is there shown. This system is adapted
for use on peg boards such as at 700. A mounting system 702 for the
sliding tiles includes a front rail or support section 704, as well
as telescoping side sections 706 and respective connector elements
708. The connector elements 708 enable the mounting system 702 to
be connected to risers 710 located on either side of the peg board
700. As in the earlier embodiments, the tiles are slid sideways in
order to allow access to a column (sometimes called row) of product
712 being held on a mounting hook 714, which is selectively secured
to the peg board 700. With telescoping side sections 706, the front
rail can be positioned as desired so that the tiles are located in
front of the merchandise 712 held by the hooks 714.
With reference now to FIGS. 24 and 25, still another embodiment of
the present disclosure is there illustrated. In this embodiment, a
rail 800 has slidably mounted thereto a tile 802. The tile 802
comprises a first section 804 which can be substantially vertically
oriented in one end position and a second section 806 which is
approximately horizontally oriented. These two sections are
connected by a hinge 808. The tile first section 804 can thus be
rotated in relation to the tile second section 806. More
particularly, the tile first section 804 can be rotated forwardly
or clockwise in FIG. 24 in relation to the tile second section 806,
as shown by the arrow. The purpose for such rotation is to allow
access to products being held in a merchandise display behind the
tile. It should be noted that while the tile can be rotated forward
or clockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 25, it cannot be rotated
backward. To prevent such counterclockwise or backwards rotation, a
blocking arm 810 extends from a rear surface of the tile first
section 804. The blocking arm 810 abuts a bottom surface 812 of the
tile second section 806 to prevent a rearward rotation of the tile
first section 804. As in the previous embodiments, the tile 802 is
slidable in relation to the rail 800 via cooperating elements
engaging the two.
With reference now to FIGS. 26 and 27, an inverted tile rail design
is there illustrated. In this design, a rail 902 is connected to a
shelf. Extending upwardly from the rail are a plurality of slidable
tiles 904. More particularly, the rail 902 is mounted to a lower
shelf 906 and the tiles 904 extend upwardly towards an upper shelf
908. With reference now also to FIG. 27, the tiles 904 each include
a front wall 912 and a foot 914, angled in relation to a plane of
the front wall. Extending away from the foot 914 is a top flange
916 and a bottom flange 918, spaced therefrom. These two define
between them a longitudinally extending slot 920.
The mounting rail 902 includes a front wall 940. Extending
rearwardly from a rear face of the front wall 940 is a T-shaped
protrusion 942. It is evident from FIG. 27 that the protrusion of
the rail is accommodated in the slot 920 of the tile so as to
interconnect these two elements. In this way, the tiles 904 can
slide in relation to the rail 902 in a sideward manner so as to
selectively expose a desired column of merchandise being held on
the lower shelf 906. The rail 902 also includes a base wall 944,
which is connected to the front wall 940. The base wall, in turn,
is connected to a clip portion 946 of the rail 902. The clip
portion includes a front leg 952, a rear leg 954 and a connecting
leg 956. Also provided is a flange 958. The clip enables the rail
902 to be selectively mounted to the lower shelf 906. More
particularly, the lower shelf 906 includes a top wall 960 and a
front wall 962. The clip front leg 952 contacts the shelf front
wall 962. The flange 958 of the clip contacts a bottom surface of
the shelf top wall 960 in order to stabilize the rail in relation
to the shelf and resiliently mount the rail securely to the shelf.
In one embodiment, the rail 902 can be made from a suitable
thermoplastic material. Alternatively, it could be made from
metal.
With reference again to FIG. 26, a shelf management system can be
mounted on the lower shelf 906. The shelf management system can
include a front fence 970 which is suitably secured to the shelf
top surface 960, as is known in the art. The shelf management
system also includes one or more dividers 972 and one or more
tracks 974. These can be suitably secured to the shelf 906 either
via the front fence or directly. Each track can accommodate a
pusher 976 which is slidably mounted thereon. Urging the pusher
forwardly on its track is a conventional coil spring 978.
With reference now to FIG. 28, disclosed therein is another
embodiment of a rail for mounting one or more sliding tiles to a
shelf. In the embodiment disclosed, a rail 1002 accommodates on one
face thereof an adhesive strip 1004. It should be apparent that the
adhesive strip 1004 can extend the entire length of the rail 1002.
The adhesive strip has a first or upper adhesive face 1006 which is
meant to be adhered to a suitable surface on a conventional shelf
(not illustrated in FIG. 28). The adhesive strip also includes a
second adhesive face 1008 which is secured to one face of the rail
1002. As in the earlier designs, the rail 1002 includes a
longitudinally extending slot 1010 which leads to a channel 1012.
The channel is adapted to accommodate a cooperating protrusion of a
suitable sliding tile. It should be appreciated that the adhesive
face 1006 can be secured beneath a shelf so as to be adhered to a
lower face of an upper shelf with tiles depending therefrom towards
a lower shelf. Alternatively, the adhesive face 1006 can be secured
to a vertically extending front face of a shelf with suitable tiles
mounted thereto. As another alternative, the rail can be secured to
a top face of a shelf with the tiles extending upwardly therefrom.
In such a design, the rail 1002 could serve somewhat as a front
fence for items which are being retailed on the shelf.
With reference now to FIG. 29, a still further embodiment of a rail
is there illustrated. In this embodiment, a rail 1102 includes a
front wall 1104, a top wall 1106 and a bottom wall 1108. Extending
rearwardly from the top wall 1106 is a first clip 1112. Extending
rearwardly from the bottom wall 1108 is a second clip 1114. The two
clips are meant to accommodate suitable wires 1116 and 1118 of a
wire rack type display system, which is known in the merchandising
art.
Extending forwardly from the top wall 1106 is an upper T-shaped
protrusion 1130. Extending forwardly from the front wall 1104 is a
lower T-shaped protrusion 1132. The two protrusions define between
them, a slot 1134 and a channel 1136. Mounted to the rail 1102 is a
tile 1140. The tile includes a front wall 1142 and, extending
rearwardly therefrom, a tab 1144. The tab includes a stem 1146 and
a planar portion 1148. The stem protrudes through the slot 1134 of
the rail 1102 and the planar portion 1148 is accommodated in the
channel 1136 of the rail. With this design, the tile 1140 can slide
laterally in relation to the rail 1102 so as to selectively make
accessible any column of merchandise being retailed in the wire
rack display of the merchant, by a suitable sliding motion of the
tile in relation to the retail display.
With reference now to FIG. 30, disclosed therein is a sliding tile
security system comprising one or more tiles 1200 slidably mounted
to a rail 1202. A connecting element 1204 mounts the rail to a
shelf 1206. More particularly, the connecting element comprises a
first section 1210 and a second section 1212 which are pivotally
mounted to each other via a suitable hinge, such as a piano hinge
1214. The first mounting section 1210 is secured via a threaded
fastener 1220 to the shelf 1206. Suitable apertures 1222 are
provided on the shelf for this purpose. The rail 1202 is secured to
the second section 1212 of the connecting element 1204 via one or
more fasteners 1240 which can have a threaded stem as at 1242. Each
fastener 1240 can cooperate with a nut 1250 that is slid into a
longitudinally extending slot 1252 defined in the rail 1202. A
threaded aperture 1262 can extend through the nut 1250. In order to
hold the rail 1202 in a use position, the rail can be provided with
a flange 1264 which can cooperate with a flange 1266 of the first
mounting member 1210 in a friction fit type arrangement.
Another embodiment for selectively securing a rail in an operative
position in relation to a shelf is illustrated in FIG. 31. It can
there be seen that a rail 1202' is mounted to a shelf 1206' via a
connecting element 1204'. In this embodiment, the connecting
element comprises a first section 1260 and a second section 1262.
As in the earlier embodiment, the two sections are connected via a
piano hinge 1214' or the like. Also illustrated is a first fastener
1220' extending through an aperture 1222' in the shelf 1206' and an
aligned threaded aperture 1230' provided in the first member 1260.
If desired, an aligned opening 1232' can be provided in the second
element 1262 in order to accommodate a distal end of the fastener
1220'. In this embodiment, the second member 1262 is provided with
a flange 1270, as well as an actuating arm 1272. The flange 1270
cooperates with an L-shaped extension 1274 of the connecting
element first section 1260 so as to selectively lock the two
members 1260 and 1262 to each other. However, by suitable actuation
of the arm 1272, the flange 1270 can be moved in relation to the
L-shaped member 1274 so as to allow the hinge 1214' to pivot.
A further embodiment of a locking feature is illustrated in FIG.
32. In this embodiment, a connecting member 1204'' includes a first
section 1280 and cooperating therewith a second section 1282. The
two sections are connected by a hinge 1214''. The second section is
provided with an arm 1290. Also provided is a sliding lock 1300,
which can be slidably mounted to the first section 1280. This lock
includes a first wall 1302 which is provided with a finger access
tab 1304 for manual actuation. Depending from the first wall 1302
is a second wall 1310. The second wall includes a flange 1312. The
arm 1290 cooperates with the flange 1312 in a first end position of
the sliding lock. However, as shown by the arrow 1314, a retraction
of the sliding lock 1300 will enable the rail 1202'' to pivot away
from its use position, as illustrated by arrow 1316.
With reference now to FIG. 33, another locking member is there
illustrated for filling a gap or opening between two adjacent
tiles. Such a locking member may be necessary when the merchant is
closed in order to forestall any access to articles held on a
shelf. In this design, there is provided a sliding tile lock 1400
positioned in an opening defined between a pair of adjacent tiles
1402 and 1404. The tiles can be supported by a rail 1406 attached
to an upper shelf 1408 positioned above a lower shelf 1410. Both
shelves can be provided with a conventional front fence 1412.
As shown in FIG. 35, the sliding tile lock 1400 can include a first
section 1420 and a second section 1422. These two sections can be
mounted together via suitable hinges 1424. Rotatably mounted to the
first section is a lock 1430. The lock 1430 includes a distal arm
1432 which extends transversely to an axis of the lock. The distal
arm cooperates with a raised portion 1434 of the lock second
section 1422. Provided adjacent the section 1434 is a slot 1436 to
accommodate the arm 1432 of the lock when it is in the unlocked
position. As can be seen, the arm can rotate 90 degrees from the
locked position shown in FIG. 34 to the unlocked position shown in
FIG. 35.
The second section 1422 can comprise a central portion 1440
delineated by respective channels 1442 from respective wings 1444.
With reference now to FIG. 36, the first section 1420 includes a
central portion 1450 and a pair of shoulders 1452 which are
accommodated in the grooves 1442 of the second section. Also
provided are a pair of wings 1454 which cooperate with the wings
1444 of the second section. The wings cooperate in order to trap
between them the adjacent side portions of a pair of tiles, such as
the tiles 1402 and 1404. With such a lock, the tiles are unable to
move, since the opening between them has now been filled by the
tile lock.
The present disclosure has been described with reference to several
embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to
others upon the reading and understanding of the preceding detailed
description. It is intended that the present invention be construed
as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *